Our Story
Meet Lauren,
Founder of Brody’s Buddies
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That passion was tested—and strengthened—when I adopted Joey, my second dog. At just 14 weeks old, he showed intense resource guarding and aggressive behaviors. A well-known trainer told me to “run for the hills.” But I couldn’t give up on him. I dove headfirst into learning, seeking out mentors whose values aligned with mine. Today, Joey is thriving—and even helps out in training sessions as a calm, balanced presence.
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To deepen my knowledge, I’ve traveled and attended multiple shadow programs with respected trainers whose methods I believe in. These hands-on experiences have been invaluable, and I continue to prioritize ongoing education so I can better serve the dogs—and humans—I work with.
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Brody’s Buddies is named after my first dog, Brody—a spicy, long-haired Chihuahua I adopted in my early 20s. Brody is my soul dog. He used to come with me everywhere—on every walk, every overnight. Now 11 years old, he’s enjoying his well-earned retirement, but he’ll always be the heart and spirit behind everything I do.
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What started as a way to help a few dogs has turned into something much bigger—a purpose, a calling, and a lifelong commitment to helping dogs and their people understand each other better.
Hi, I'm Lauren!
​My love for dogs began when I was a young girl. I used to wish I could talk to them—really talk to them. I could tell they understood me, but I wanted to understand them. That early curiosity never left me, and becoming a trainer showed me that communication is absolutely possible—it just takes patience, observation, and a willingness to learn their language.
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My hands-on experience started at a turning point in my life. I was working at a bank, feeling run down, uninspired, and not quite myself. I knew I needed a change—something more meaningful. So I took a leap, quit my job, and took a big pay cut to work at a local dog daycare. That decision changed everything. I spent my days immersed in canine behavior, learning from every tail wag, body signal, and interaction. Later, I worked at an animal hospital, where I gained even more insight into the physical and emotional well-being of dogs. Those early roles laid the foundation for the work I do now.
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When the pandemic hit, I lost my job in the service industry—but found an unexpected opportunity to lean into what I truly cared about. I started walking dogs regularly, and soon clients began asking if I offered training. That’s when everything clicked. Helping dogs and their people connect sparked something in me, and I knew I’d found my calling.
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The Brody's Buddies Method
A Thoughtful, Balanced Approach to Training
At Brody’s Buddies, we prioritize positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods. I believe in building strong bonds between dogs and their people through trust, clear communication, and mutual respect.
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While my foundation is in positive training, I recognize that every dog—and every situation—is unique. That’s why I thoughtfully incorporate all four quadrants of operant conditioning when needed, always with the dog’s emotional well-being and long-term success in mind. My approach is guided by the principle of using the least intrusive, minimally aversive (LIMA) methods possible.
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Just as important, I’ll never ask a client to do something they’re uncomfortable with. Your values, your relationship with your dog, and your comfort level matter. My role is to guide and support you with clear, compassionate coaching that empowers you to make confident, informed choices for your dog.
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By staying flexible, respectful, and individualized in my approach, I help dog-human teams grow stronger—together.